Jephthah
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(God opens, that is, frees or sets free) (Judg 11:1; Heb 11:32) - one of the most notable judges of Israel, a son of Gilead by a concubine. Deprived of his inheritance and expelled from his father's house by the legitimate heirs, Jephthah settled in the land of Tob in the Syrian region. There he gathered a band of idle men, raided neighboring lands, and soon became renowned for his martial ability. His fame spread so widely that, when the Ammonites warred against Israel, the elders of Gilead asked him to lead them and fight the Ammonites.
Jephthah replied, 'Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?' (Judg 11:7). He agreed to become their leader on the firm condition that, if he won the war, his authority would remain permanent.